'Smiled after the second extension': Bae Yong-jun claims third career title at Lexus Masters... First victory in stroke play [KPGA]

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Bae Yong-jun (26, CJ) dramatically claimed victory in the second extension at the Korea Professional Golf (KPGA) Tour Lexus Masters (total prize money 1 billion won).

In the final fourth round of the tournament held on the 1st at the Ocean Course (par 71) at Incheon Club72 Country Club, Bae Yong-jun recorded two birdies and two bogeys to shoot an even-par 72.

With a final total of 12-under-par 272, Bae Yong-jun tied with Jang Yu-bin and Jung Jae-hyun, sending the competition into a playoff.

The playoff was held on the 18th hole (par 5). In the first extension, all three players secured birdies. However, in the second extension, while Jang Yu-bin and Jung Jae-hyun settled for par, Bae Yong-jun hooked a birdie to claim the top spot.

Having previously won twice at the 2022 Honors K Solgaco CC Han Jang-sang Invitational, held in a modified stableford format, and last year's KPGA Classic, Bae Yong-jun experienced the thrill of his first victory in a stroke play event.

Starting the final day as the solo leader, Bae Yong-jun struggled to reduce his score easily and faced a chase from his competitors. Jang Yu-bin and Jung Jae-hyun, who began the fourth round trailing by five shots, closed in rapidly.

Jang Yu-bin cut five strokes with one eagle, five birdies, and two bogeys, while Jung Jae-hyun also secured five birdies without any bogeys. Jang Yu-bin, who had taken the solo lead, faltered with bogeys on the 14th and 16th holes (both par 4), ultimately leading to a three-way playoff.

In the second extension, Bae Yong-jun placed his third shot right next to the hole to reduce his stroke count. Meanwhile, Jang Yu-bin and Jung Jae-hyun successfully got their balls onto the green but failed to make the birdie putts, finishing the tournament in a tie for second place.

Jang Yu-bin moved up one spot in the Genesis Points standings to mark second place, while maintaining his first-place position in the money list. Shin Sang-hoon, who finished tied for 35th with an even-par 284, also maintained his first-place standing in the Genesis Points.

The winners of major individual titles such as this season's Genesis Points and the money championship are expected to be determined through the season finale, the KPGA Tour Championship, which is scheduled to open on the 5th at Jeju Dedi Valley Golf & Resort.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original